Some are calling what remains of parts of Southern California “apocalyptic” as wildfires have been raging since Tuesday morning, and now shocking footage of the devastation is flooding social media. Several fires, including the Palisades Fire, the Eaton Fire, and the Hurst Fire are burning acres upon acres of land, devouring homes, businesses, and landscapes in sections of Los Angeles County. The Palisades Fire alone has burned over 17,000 acres as of Thursday morning.
Shocking photos and videos of the fires and their paths of destruction are popping up everywhere online. Some of them show firestorms in progress or burning buildings and landscapes, while others show neighborhoods turned to ash—an apocalyptic-like scene and a tragic reality.
Here is a collection of some shocking footage from the California wildfires. Scroll to the bottom to learn how you can help first responders’ efforts.
One man was flying into the area as the fires raged. His video went viral:
Here’s an aerial view from a drone showing what remains of one section of the Pacific Palisades, a coastal community between the Santa Monica Mountains and the Pacific Ocean:
SHOCK PHOTO: Aerial drone footage reveals the devastation in Pacific Palisades, a once-wealthy area northwest of Santa Monica with a population exceeding 23,000. Some residents estimate that as much as 75% of the neighborhood has been reduced to rubble. pic.twitter.com/dhZXl9PyoN
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) January 8, 2025
Here is some ground-level footage of the raging fires and of the aftermath:
Early on, before everyone evacuated, folks were forced to abandon their vehicles and flee to the beach as the fires came right up to the road:
Some people tried to stay to save their homes, while others evacuated but then returned to attempt to save valuables:
Finally, a hiker shared a video of the area he’s hiked his whole life completely up in flames. This is a tragedy for the wild animals and wild places as well as the homeowners and business owners in this area.
Support first responders’ efforts here.